The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-17
THE RUSSIAN AUTOCRAT.
A Ruler Who VIII Not Admit the
Least Concession TO the
Spirit OF the Arc.

Least Concession to the
spirit OF the Age.
An occasional correspondent of The
LoRd0n Times, writing from St. Peters
burg. gives some account OF the ear
and his surroundings from which the
following passages are taSen
We know from the last work Of
Count ", and from Russian opinion
in general, that Alexander III, is II
very temperate man, u model husband
and father. and such lover of honesty
and leicester of sell-seekiug officials
that he has sacrificed many persons of
political worth 10 preference for men
in his cRtoRrage, who. although not
brill ant, are at least irreprouchable as
regards honesty and devotion to impe-
+ al interests rather than to their own.
He works hard TO master the smallest
details of government, examining every
paper with the greatest attention; and
this absorption IN minor matters, IL is
sa Il. is often taken advantage of by his
councillors TO keep from him the direc-
ton of the greater questions of state, ut
lCNst rs for as concerns home affairs.
His knowledge is now believed to BIO
far more extensive than was generally
supposed but he is extremely reserved,
and rarely converses with any of the
personages adm tied almost daily to
his presence. He keeps his own coun-
sci us much as poss bic. and it is very
evident that his most distinguished
generals have not yet made up their
minds as to the best way OF approach-
ing him.
The reserve which for many reasons
was forced upon the car while yet
heir-apparent seems to have grown into
Il settled habit. In society during the
st. Petersburg season--which, how
ever. plainly bores him as much as IT yisi-
bly, d lights the empress there is moth
ing more striking, ms Count V-puis
it, than his majcsty's mid and severe
look ut one and the same time. IL Is
curious in this connection that among
all his portraits painted since his Access
on there is no uniform and settled
stamp of expression given in the face.
For some time past, however, the
gloomy cloud that used to hang about
the brow long after the terrible death
of bis father has been gradually wear
ing away. In order to be seen perfect
" at ease he should be observed
with his children in the grounds of
Gatchina, where he is much more at
home than in st. Petersburg. His
physical strength, it is said. fully re-
cords with his enormous SIZE OF body
and limb. and often one hears il said
that he can easily break an ordinary
horseshoe with bare hands. OF one
thing there can be but little doubt, and
that is certainly his tenacity and OBJ
stinacy of opinion and purpose. Both
the Afghan frontier and Bulgarian
questions have borne witness to this
quality.
The emperor is sometimes brusquc.
and not only says severe things when
necessary. but occasionally writes some
sharp comments upon the margins Of
reports. Having entered upon his
great inner lance with declared de-
term nation to maintain the absolute
power. and with tne Keen sense of the
dishonor brought on Russia, both at
home and abroad. by the weakness and
wavering of the last regime, he will not
admit the least concession 10 the spirit
of the age, nor the slightest compro-
mise with the autocratic principle. and
he is naturally very suspicious of being
overruled BY any interested influence.
No one expects any important reform
during his reign; but the relnquish-
mcnt of this hope is somewhat counter
balanced by the proud satisfaction felt
ut his majesty's new departure in for
eign affairs. He will never. it is con-
stantly repeated. yield up the fruits of |
victory once war is undertaken. as was
done by Russia under Alexander III. at |
The Berlin congress. Itdoes not follow,
however, that all who 60 with him in tn
direction are sincere in their admira-
lion; for IL is evident that many whose
lesires and aspirations have now no flu |
ture at home would, Russla-lke, throw |
themselves enthusiastically into any |
wherever 1t might be made,
IN the hope that aUos. as they say, some
good and some change may perhaps
.onie ont Of IL